From the faltering economy to blatant disregard for civil liberties, heightened corruption, poor service delivery, low morale in the public service and cost over-runs in mega projects; it’s safe to say everything that could go wring has gone wrong under President Ian Khama’s rule. It would therefore goes without saying that Batswana have lost faith in the Khama dynasty and will not embrace another Khama as the country’s next commander-in-chief and chief executive officer.
Barring the unforeseen in terms of the current constitutional provision of automatic succession, Mokgweetsi Masisi will take over when Khama relinquishes power at the end of his second term on 31 March 2018, at least until the general elections in October 2019.
An unprecedented number of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) members are reportedly lining up to challenge Masisi for the Presidency at the party’s 2019 elective national congress.
Currently three names are being peddled as potential contenders for the top post in 2019; former education minister and Botswana’s Ambassador to Japan Jacob Nkate, former Palapye Member of Parliament and Debswana Diamond Company executive Boyce Sebetlela as well as Tshekedi Khama, current Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism and younger brother to the President.
However, BDP insiders believe the list of contenders for the top post could increase as the congress draws nearer.
On the surface, leveraging another Khama to the country’s highest office equates to prolonging the status quo and perpetuating a miserable legacy that is reminiscent of what is happening in Zimbabwe, where Robert Gabriel Mugabe’s wife Grace is preparing to succeed her husband.
Malice aside, the view is not far-fetched and unsubstantiated that Batswana endured hardships under Ian Khama’s Presidency, characterized by sluggish economic growth that has dismally failed to curb rising unemployment, corruption, public sector strikes and low morale within the public service.
To correct the prevailing imbalance and remedy the socio-economic ills plaguing the country, Botswana is in dire need of a strong willed and fearless leader who will not under any circumstance allow political expediency to cloud his judgment. Even with the much vaunted reforms initiated by the BDP and targeted for post Khama’s presidency, it would no doubt be a significantly tall order to reverse the status quo and set the BDP on the road to popularity.
This is not to suggest that the predicament that the country finds itself in is not insurmountable in the long term. It simply means that the country is in dire need of a strong willed and unapologetic leader who will not hesitate to take harrowingly unpopular decisive action to remedy the situation.
As for Tshekedi Khama, his chances of ascending to the throne could simply be burdened by his being a Khama. As a son and brother to the past two Presidents, Tshekedi may be viewed as part of the problem and a continuation of the Khama dynasty’s hold on the country’s Presidency.
Granted, as an MP and Minister, he has been exposed to the political game long enough and he should be able to carve his own political career path. In fact, he has proven to be an outspoken man who has repeatedly spoken out against the ruling party. But many believe he is able to get away with publicly castigating his own brother because he is a Khama and therefore untouchable. They believe Khama would not look away, but would swiftly and mercilessly quash any signs of dissent from “mortal” folk within the BDP, as he has done so in the past. There is also the possibility that the nation could easily viewed Tshekedi as an extension of his brother’s rule, and before him his father. In Tshekedi, the people could see the same man who has been serving as President for many years because of his blood relation to the country’s first and fourth President.
Can Tshekedi Khama therefore make a good President? Political commentator Anthony Ndulamo Morima posits that just like his elder brother Ian, Tshekedi’s greatest weakness, which will make him a bad President, is egocentrism, a personality cult and populist style of leadership.
“Indeed, if Tshekedi Khama were to be president he would no doubt continue with his elder brother’s legacy which is mainly a personality cult and populist based leadership,” said Morima. He described Ian Khama as a President who came up with many initiatives and directives (which prima facie looked good) but lacked national consensus and as a result failed. This is despite Ian Khama’s legacy of easy relations with ordinary people through public walks and kgotla bon-fires.
Morima holds the view that after Ian Khama’s departure, the BDP may need another Khama for President purely for ensuring its continued stay in power by riding on the Khama magic and personality cult.
But does Tshekedi possess the nerve and verve to tackle corruption and many other social ills currently plaguing the country? Morima asserts that with respect to social ills, he (Tshekedi) may genuinely want to tackle them as does his elder brother, but could be let down by the methodology of going about it.
“Like his elder brother, his greatest undoing may be engaging in short term unsustainable initiatives which may not rid the country of its ills. With respect to his commitment to tackling corruption, it is difficult to make an opinion now. His approach to the mandate of such entities as the Ombudsman, Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) and the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) when he assumes the Presidency, if he ever will, may give us an indication,” asserts Morima.
As regards the impact of his association with Seleka Springs, a company that has been associated with controversial supplies of Botswana Defense Force (BDF) equipment, Morima does not believe it will have any impact because Batswana, especially in rural areas don’t know about the issue. “Even within the BDP, it won’t matter for those who know about it if the party has made the decision to have him as party President,” argued Morima.
The political commentator’s main worry is that not much is known about Tshekedi’s character and personality except that judging by his little association with other cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament and regular absenteeism from parliament, he seems to be an egocentric leader who believes not in public consensus or effort, but on individual effort.
In terms of Tshekedi’s performance as a Minister, Morima’s view is that he has done very well.
Regarding the “shoot to kill” policy and the hunting ban, Morima said it may cast doubt on his respect for human rights, the right to life in particular. “However, this may not matter to many Batswana who regard poachers as a threat to their own lives who should be gotten rid of at every opportunity”, said Morima adding that if Tshekedi’s main motivation for the hunting ban is for conservation of the animal species and sustainable hunting, there would be nothing wrong with it since seasonal hunting bans are best international practices.
Morima further explained that a President’s best credential is leading by national consensus and commitment to participatory democracy. “Any person who lacks these credentials, as Tshekedi does, cannot be a good President”, said Morima.
He concluded that the BDP is relishing from the Khama dynasty, and the rural and elderly Batswana also seem not to have any problem with the Khama dynasty based on their fond memories of the late Sir Seretse Khama.
“It is, however, unlikely that there is any other name which can rise to the level of Khama within the next twenty years” said the political commentator.
